The Best Laptops
Smartphones and tablets may have taken over much of people’s screen time, but there’s still a need for a real computer sometimes — and for most people, that means a laptop. For school and office work and tasks like creating spreadsheets and editing video, there’s no good substitute for a decent keyboard and a big screen. But exactly which laptop you should get depends on how often you’ll use it, what you’ll use it for, and (of course) how much money you can afford to spend on it.
We regularly test the most promising laptops, from sleek ultrabooks to cheap Chromebooks to massive gaming laptops and beyond. Here are the best models you can buy in every category, along with advice on how to choose which type of laptop is right for you.
Mac or Windows (or something else)?
If you’re already familiar with macOS or Windows, the easiest choice is to buy a computer that runs that operating system. Or if you already have an iPhone, a MacBook will let you send texts with iMessage, make FaceTime video calls, and access your iCloud photos. That said, macOS and Windows have never been more similar, and most popular apps work just as well on either platform (or at least have alternatives that work similarly). If you’re interested in switching, it isn’t as big a deal as it used to be.
If you’re not tied to a platform, the biggest factor is how easily you can get support. Do you have an Apple Store nearby? Do your most tech-savvy friends use Windows? Does your school or job provide tech support? If you’re not a self-sufficient techie and want the best service for your computer, buy a Mac, because you can take it to any Apple Store to get it fixed. No other computer maker provides that level of support. (If you’re self-sufficient, go with what you like.)
Alternatively, since more tasks can be accomplished in a browser, without your downloading and installing any apps, you might not even need a traditional operating system — a Chromebook may be all you need.
The best Windows laptop
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 226V | Screen: | 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED non-touch |
| Memory: | 16 GB | Weight: | 2.87 pounds |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 17 hours |
Who these are for: Our Windows laptop picks are for anyone who needs a thin-and-light, super-portable Windows laptop with long battery life to get through a full day of work or classes. They’re powerful enough to do everything most people need a computer for, and they have great keyboards, trackpads, and displays. You can expect to pay between $900 and $1,300 for a great Windows laptop that will last you at least four years, though excellent budget options are available for around $800.
Where they fall short: Thin-and-light Windows laptops tend to cost more than most people want to spend, but they last years longer than cheap laptops under $500. They also lack the processing power to play high-end games or handle demanding tasks such as professional video editing or 3D modeling.
Why we like this one: The Asus Vivobook S 14 (Q423SA-U5512) is the best thin-and-light Windows laptop you can get without spending a lot more. It has the best combination of what makes a laptop great, offering fast performance, terrific battery life, and a spacious OLED screen. At 2.87 pounds, the Vivobook S is compact and light enough to take on a plane or to a coffee shop, and thanks to its excellent 17-hour battery life, it will last through a full day of work or classes — and then some. We also like that its RGB backlit keyboard can be customized to any color. But this model lacks a touchscreen and a fingerprint reader, and its speakers are mediocre.
Read more about the Asus Vivobook S 14 and other so-called AI PCs in our full guide to Windows laptops.
The best MacBook
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Apple M4 CPU | Storage: | 256 GB SSD |
| Graphics: | Apple M4 CPU | Screen: | 2560×1664 IPS |
| Memory: | 16 GB | Tested battery life: | 14.3 hours |
Who these are for: If you prefer macOS or need great tech support, a MacBook is a safe bet; this is an excellent laptop for writers, office workers, commuters, and college students. The 13-inch models offer the best combination of size, weight, and performance. Powered by Apple’s M-series processors, these laptops have exceptionally good battery life compared with similarly priced Windows laptops. We recommend the M2 MacBook Air, which delivers performance that’s nearly as good as that of the M4 MacBook Pro under all but the heaviest workloads for hundreds of dollars less.
Where they fall short: MacBooks are typically more expensive than Windows ultrabooks, especially if you want to upgrade the memory or storage — Apple’s SSD upgrade prices are so high that we usually recommend looking into cloud storage or an external SSD instead. Our recommended MacBook configuration lacks the processing power to play demanding games. If you need a cheaper laptop or a more powerful one, check out our other picks below.
Why we like this one: The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air delivers great performance and fantastic battery life at a reasonable price. The base 16 GB of memory that’s offered is enough for basic web browsing and office tasks, as well as if you need to do some basic video or media editing. If you’re the kind of person who has a few dozen browser tabs open at a time, we recommend upgrading the RAM to 24 GB. Like Apple’s other laptops, the MacBook Air has only a few ports — in this case, two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, which may require you to use a hub or new cables. But the MacBook Air’s light weight, solid construction, and industry-leading support make it a great laptop, especially if you also own an iPhone or other Apple devices.
For more on the MacBook Air, take a look at our full guide to MacBook models.
The most repairable laptop
Best for...
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 | Screen: | 13.5-inch 2256×1504 non-touch |
| Memory: | 16 GB | Weight: | 2.9 pounds |
| Storage: | 256 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 14 hours |
Who these are for: Most modern laptops aren’t designed to be repaired or upgraded by just anyone with a screwdriver. Even if you do manage to get past the screws and the difficult-to-pry-open chassis, you might have access to the SSD, but the memory is likely to be soldered, and you certainly can’t upgrade the processor. When something breaks out of warranty, when the battery wears out, or when you’re ready to upgrade after five or six years, you have to recycle or dispose of the entire laptop — even if some of its parts are still perfectly good. If you want the ability to upgrade and repair your laptop yourself and make it last longer without replacing the whole thing — which theoretically can save you money and create less e-waste over the years — our repairable pick is for you.
Where they fall short: The availability of parts and upgrades for the Framework Laptop 13 is entirely dependent on the laptop’s manufacturer. If Framework goes under or it decides to stop designing and selling upgrades, this laptop will end up just like any other — when the computer breaks or outlives its usefulness, you’ll have to replace the whole thing. Other companies have attempted to make upgradable laptops in the past and have failed to follow through on the promise.
Why we like this one: Every part of the Framework Laptop 13 (AMD AI 300 Series) is super easy to repair and upgrade. Each part is helpfully labeled with handy QR codes that direct you to step-by-step replacement guides and links to the exact parts you’ll need. You can add more memory and storage, replace the battery, upgrade the mainboard with a new processor, and repair anything else if it breaks — the display, the fingerprint reader, the keyboard, the hinge, you name it.
The Framework Laptop 13 is an excellent computer, too. It’s sturdy and surprisingly thin and light for how modular its design is, and its battery will last a full workday. It also has a reliable keyboard and trackpad, plus a bright and spacious display. But the ability to upgrade and repair this laptop down the line depends on the company continuing to exist and to supply parts. So far the company is off to a great start: Every year since it launched in 2021 the company has introduced upgraded parts.
If you want the full experience of putting your laptop together, you can choose from a wider variety of parts by purchasing the DIY Edition instead.
Read more about our repairable pick in our guide to Windows laptops.
The best Chromebook
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Intel Core 3 N355 | Screen: | 14-inch 1920×1200 touch |
| Memory: | 8 GB | Weight: | 3.09 pounds |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 12 hours |
Who these are for: Chromebooks are ideal for students and kids, but you should also consider one if you spend most of your computer time in a web browser, if you’re on a tight budget, or if you already have a decent desktop PC. A good Chromebook can do almost anything a regular laptop can do, including document work, video calls, and streaming video — as long as it’s possible in a web browser or in Android apps. And $500 Chromebooks tend to be faster, lighter, and sleeker than $500 Windows laptops.
Where they fall short: Chromebooks can’t run Windows-specific games or particular programs you might be used to on your Mac or Windows computer. But if you use web-based email, if you can get by with Google’s office web apps or Office 365 and Android app alternatives, and if you stream your music and movies over the internet, a Chromebook should do just about everything you need it to.
Why we like this one: The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (CB514-6HT-368E) provides the best balance of features for the price out of all the Chromebooks we’ve tested. It has fast performance, a backlit keyboard, a reliable trackpad, and a tall and spacious touchscreen. The Chromebook Plus 514 is also light and portable, with long-enough battery life to last a full day of work or classes. This model doesn’t cut any major corners to hit its reasonable price, though it lacks a 360-degree hinge, and its speakers and webcam aren’t great.
For more, read our full guide to Chromebooks.
The best budget Windows laptop
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U | Screen: | 14-inch 1920×1080 non-touch |
| Memory: | 8 GB | Weight: | 3.1 pounds |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 13.5 hours |
Who these are for: If you need a Windows laptop for home, work, or school — and you can’t afford to spend a lot — you can find a decent one for less than $500. These computers are ideal for grade-school and middle-school students, people on a strict budget, and those who use their computers mostly at home in the evenings for doing schoolwork, browsing the web, managing a budget, or watching Netflix. Cheaper, lighter laptops tend to be too slow for everyday tasks, while faster, sleeker ones usually cost too much.
Where they fall short: To get a laptop that doesn’t feel slow for a decent price, you have to make a lot of compromises. Most budget laptops that are fast enough tend to be bulky, heavy, and saddled with short battery life. They also tend to have low-resolution, low-quality screens that are unpleasant to look at. You have to be especially vigilant when shopping for a laptop in this price range to avoid slow or old processors, insufficient memory, and sluggish storage.
Why we like this one: The Acer Aspire 3 (A314-23P-R3QA) is fast enough to meet most people’s computing needs for years to come, and it has an accurate trackpad and a backlit keyboard. It’s also compact and portable, and its battery lasted 13 hours 38 minutes in our tests — long enough to get through a full day of work or classes.
The Aspire 3 has a 14-inch 1920×1080 display that lacks touch input and makes colors look dull and washed out in comparison with more expensive laptops. But many laptops in this price range have much worse screens with lower resolutions or TN panels. The Aspire 3 also comes with a ton of bloatware; we recommend following these steps to get rid of it.
Choosing a budget laptop is tricky because you can find hundreds of variations. Their prices fluctuate constantly, too, and companies release and discontinue models with no warning. If our pick isn’t available, check our full guide to budget laptops for other options, as well as advice on how to shop for a budget laptop that doesn’t suck.
For additional details, read our full guide to budget laptops.
The best MacBook for photo and video editing
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Apple M4 Pro | Screen: | 3456×2234 |
| Graphics: | 20-core M4 Pro | Weight: | 4.7 pounds |
| Memory: | 24 GB | Tested battery life: | 17.5 hours |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD |
Who these are for: Photo and video editors need an extremely color-accurate screen, the processing power to work with 4K footage or to batch-edit hundreds of photos, and a battery that will last through an entire day’s work. These professional-grade laptops are more costly than ultrabooks, ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, but they offer desktop performance away from the desk.
Where they fall short: Laptops with color-accurate screens and enough power for creative professionals are expensive, and even more so with add-ons like extra storage and memory. Editing laptops also tend to be larger and heavier than ultrabooks, with most weighing more than 4 pounds. The powerful processors in editing laptops generate lots of heat, as well, so some can get too hot to use comfortably on your lap, though our top pick stayed cool even under the heaviest workloads. In addition, the MacBook Pro is impossible to service on your own, but Apple provides excellent support.
Why we like this one: The Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4 Pro, 2024) combines a sharp display that’s color-accurate out of the box with Apple’s powerful and power-efficient M4 Pro processor. We found the laptop quick and responsive even when we were working with large 4K files. The Asus ProArt is faster at exporting 4K video, but that’s just one part of the video-editing process, and the MacBook Pro was a bit snappier when bringing clips into the editing timeline.
In addition to the MacBook Pro’s performance, we were impressed with its 17.5-hour battery life. It has three USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 5, as well as an HDMI port, an SD card reader, a headphone jack, and a MagSafe charging port. While the performance of the MacBook Pro is stellar, it’s nearly impossible to repair or upgrade on your own. If you’re willing to sacrifice some speed for a more repairable machine, check out our recommendation below for a Windows laptop.
Read more about the 16-inch MacBook Pro in our full guide to pro laptops.
The best Windows laptop for photo and video editing
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | AMD Ryzen 9 AI 370 | Screen: | 3840×2400 OLED |
| Graphics: | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | Weight: | 4 pounds |
| Memory: | 32 GB | Tested battery life: | 10.5 hours |
| Storage: | 1 TB SSD |
Who these are for: If you’re a creative professional and you prefer Windows to macOS, don’t want a Mac, or are required to use Windows for compatibility reasons, this is your pick. In recent years, Windows ultrabooks have struggled to match the performance of the MacBook Pro models, though our new pick, the Asus ProArt 16, is one of the first Windows laptops to beat the MacBooks in our editing tests. Also, if you need a specific port or feature, you’re also more likely to find it on a Windows laptop than on a Mac, simply because the Windows world has more manufacturers and variety compared with Apple’s MacBooks.
Where they fall short: As a whole, Windows laptops didn’t perform as well in our tests as the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Typically, their screens were less accurate, they were a bit slower, and they got hotter underneath where the processor was located. Certain models, such as the Asus ProArt 16 we recommend, can still go toe-to-toe with the MacBook in terms of speed, but Apple computers typically have better displays, and the systems stay cooler with quieter fans.
Why we like this one: The Asus ProArt P16 is the first Windows laptop to beat Apple machines’ performance when exporting large 4K videos, and it’s an all-around great laptop for media editing. It has an accurate 4K OLED display, a nice keyboard and speakers, and a control wheel on the trackpad that you can assign to scrub through your Premiere timeline or control specific sliders in other editing software. Its display also has a 120 Hz refresh rate, so motion will seem smoother, and it’s better for some gaming on the side, if that’s your bag. The P16 has more ports than the MacBook Pro as well, adding two extra USB-A ports. However, its battery life is significantly shorter than that of the MacBook Pro, by about seven hours.
Read more about this option in our full guide to pro laptops.
The best cheap gaming laptop
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS | Screen: | 14-inch 2560×1600 165 Hz |
| Graphics: | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 with 8 GB VRAM | Weight: | 3.22 pounds |
| Memory: | 16 GB | Dimensions: | 12.2 by 8.9 by 0.67 inches |
| Storage: | 1 TB SSD | Tested battery life: | 10.5 hours |
Who these are for: If you want to play games but also need an affordable laptop for school or work — and your top priority isn’t playing the newest games at maxed-out graphics settings at QHD or 4K resolution — a cheap gaming laptop is for you. Nowadays, a gaming laptop that costs around $1,500 can play most new games on high settings or better at 1920×1080 resolution above 60 fps. Even cheaper models that cost around $800 are ideal for classic games and less-demanding modern titles, and they can play most new games on at least medium settings. You don’t need to spend $2,000 on a more powerful gaming laptop to get great performance.
Where they fall short: Every affordable gaming laptop we’ve tested has had at least one serious flaw. Some get way too hot, others have poor build quality, and some have dim screens with poor viewing angles. And compared with more portable options, such as ultrabooks, all gaming laptops are large, heavy, and saddled with short battery life.
Why we like this one: The Asus TUF Gaming A14 (FA401UV-DB74) provides great gaming performance for the price. It can play most of the newest titles at high and ultra settings, maintaining excellent frame rates while doing so. It also keeps its most-touched surfaces cool during long gaming sessions, and it comes with nice extras, such as a comfortable RGB keyboard and a screen with a high, 165 Hz refresh rate. It has decent battery life, and it’s similar in size and weight to a 14-inch MacBook Pro — so it’s more portable than most of the other gaming laptops we’ve tested.
You can read more about our pick in our full guide to cheap gaming laptops.
This article was edited by Signe Brewster and Arthur Gies.
Meet your guides
Kimber Streams
I’ve been Wirecutter’s resident laptop expert for more than a decade. In that time, I’ve tested hundreds of laptops—including ultrabooks, gaming laptops, Chromebooks, and budget Windows laptops—as well as thousands of keyboards, mice, and other peripherals.
Dave Gershgorn
I am based in Seattle and responsible for Wirecutter’s computer monitor coverage, as well as all our guides to Apple laptops and desktops. I also review higher-powered laptops, such as business laptops and laptops for photo and video editing. Plus, I write our reviews for all-in-one computers, ergonomic keyboards, and home 3D printers. If it has a screen, sits on a desk, and isn’t a basic Windows ultrabook, I’m usually the person to try it out.
Further reading
We’ve Tested Hundreds of Windows Laptops. This Is the Best One.
If you need a new computer, the best Windows laptops are powerful, sleek, and long-lasting.
The Best Business Laptops
An ultrabook is likely to be the best laptop for most people, but business laptops are easier to repair and have more ports.
The Best Laptop Stands
The Rain Design iLevel 2 is our favorite laptop stand because it makes it easy to raise your screen to proper ergonomic height.
How to Clean a Laptop
It’s easy to forget that your laptop needs to be cleaned. Thankfully, it’s not hard to clean out dust and stray crumbs.
